There are more than 1,000 restaurants in Amsterdam. They offer a widely varied cuisine that caters to all tastes. Amsterdam is one of the few European cities that make it easy for vegetarians to find a bite to eat. There is plenty of Indian, Oriental, Thai, Mexican and Middle Eastern fare from which to choose, and even some cultures you may be unfamiliar with. Amsterdam is a great place to try new foods, because the cooking is authentic and delicious.
One Dutch favorite is pancakes, and the pancake houses throughout Amsterdam represent that passion. Thinner than an American-style pancake and thicker than a crepe, Dutch pancakes are delicious – or “lekker,” as they say in Dutch. The Satellite Sports Café is a sports-themed café/bar that allows customers to create their own pancakes. Although this restaurant is open until 1 a.m., most of the pancake houses close at 8 or 9 p.m. The reason for this is the Dutch dinner time is typically around 6 p.m. so there are not as many late-night diners as there might be in other countries. As for breakfast, it is served at most places until 10 a.m. and lunch is typically available in restaurants between the hours of noon and 4 p.m.
Some tourists may be surprised to find the array of delicious, authentic restaurants available in the infamous Red Light District. For example, this area is home to Café Pacifico, one of the first Mexican restaurants in Europe. Between all the delicious dining and charming cafés, one does not need to travel far to find good food in Amsterdam. Good food is something the Dutch appreciate and love to share.
